NRL 2025 Market Watch: Dragons re-sign 19-year-old forward phenom Loko Pasifiki Tonga

St George Illawarra Dragons have secured one of the best up-and-coming props in rugby league, locking down the 121kg 19-year-old on a multi-year deal.

Loko Pasifiki Tonga (R) is tipped to have a bright future in the NRL. Picture: Sean Teuma.

St George Illawarra have secured boom youngster Loko Pasifiki Tonga on a multi-year deal.

The teenage prop is almost certainly going to make his NRL debut this year with coach Shane Flanagan is a huge fan of him with Tonga expected to feature in the pre-season Charity Shield clash.

His current deal expires at the end of this year but the Dragons have ensured he does not head to market.

Under NRL rules, emerging players such as Tonga are unable to talk to rival clubs until round six or until he has played five NRL or NSW Cup games.

But the Dragons have moved before that happens.

“He has size and mobility – he’s a talented front-rower and good learner. He is a good kid with a good attitude,” Flanagan told this masthead recently. “Pasifiki Tonga will definitely play in the Charity Shield and I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays a bit of first grade this coming season.

“He was still on contract for another two years but we want to extend him. Young front-rowers like him, you just can’t let them come off contract.”

He joined the Dragons top 30 squad this year.